Sanitary Napkin for Dynamic Body Fit

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article providing improved body fit. The absorbent article includes an extensible fluid permeable facing layer and a first absorbent layer joined to the facing layer. Each zone of extensibility is a region of the first absorbent layer of relatively higher extensibility than regions of first absorbent layer adjacent to the zone of extensibility. A liquid impermeable backsheet is joined to the facing layer at the periphery. The liquid impermeable backsheet has a garment facing surface. A fastening means is disposed on at least a portion of the garment facing surface of the liquid impermeable backsheet. The first absorbent layer is decoupled from the fluid impermeable backsheet.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to absorbent articles such as catamenial devicesand light incontinence products. In particular, this invention relatesto catamenial devices such as sanitary napkins having improved comfortand body fit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sanitary napkins and related disposable absorbent articles that providefor the collection of menses and other bodily discharges are well knownin the art. It has long been an object of those designing sanitarynapkins to make them such that they readily intercept menses upondischarge from the wearer. Such sanitary napkins have long had a means,typically pressure sensitive adhesive, for affixing the sanitary napkinto the undergarment of the wearer and maintaining the sanitary napkin inthe proper position to intercept the discharged menses.

However, the undergarment may not, in fact, move in concert with thebody of the wearer. Specifically, the crotch of the undergarment of thewearer may not remain in constant registration with and positionrelative to the vaginal opening. Also, as the wearer walks, runs, sits,etc., the sanitary napkin may not flex and twist with the undergarment,thereby stressing the means for affixing the sanitary napkin to theundergarment of the wearer. In fact, the sanitary napkin may be detachedfrom the undergarment.

Several attempts have been made to provide a sanitary napkin which maybe attached to the undergarment of the wearer and also maintain theconstant position with respect to the body of the wearer. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,130 issued Jan. 10, 1984 to DesMarais discloses asanitary napkin having decoupled components joined to one another at thetransverse or end edges.

Other attempts have been made in the art to provide a sanitary napkinwhich maintains contact of the topsheet with the body of the wearer. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,380, issued Feb. 4, 1989 to Lassen et al.discloses a three dimensionally shaped sanitary protecting device thatclaims to readily fit and align itself with the wearer's anatomy.However, the structure of Lassen does not provide the aforementionedindependence of movement between the body of the wearer and theundergarment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,906 issued Apr. 16, 1991 to Osborn, III et al.discloses a sanitary napkin having a topsheet and an absorbent core. Thetopsheet and core are decoupled from the backsheet of the sanitarynapkin allowing the topsheet and backsheet to be separated from oneanother in the Z-direction. However, the decoupled topsheet and core ofOsborn does not provide the desired body conformance.

Accordingly, there is a need for a disposable absorbent article havingimproved body fit that can be simply and economically manufactured.

Additionally, there is a need for a sanitary napkin capable of reliablyachieving an improved body-fitting profile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An absorbent article providing improved body fit is disclosed. In someembodiments, the absorbent article has a longitudinal axis and aperiphery. The absorbent article includes an extensible fluid permeablefacing layer and a first absorbent layer joined to the facing layer. Thefirst absorbent layer includes zones of extensibility. Each zone ofextensibility is a region of the first absorbent layer of relativelyhigher extensibility than regions of first absorbent layer adjacent tothe zone of extensibility. A liquid impermeable backsheet is joined tothe facing layer at the periphery. The liquid impermeable backsheet hasa garment facing surface. A fastening means is disposed on at least aportion of the garment facing surface of the liquid impermeablebacksheet. The fastening means defines attachment zones. At least aportion of the first absorbent layer is decoupled from the attachmentzones of the fluid impermeable backsheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is cross sectional view of Section 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sanitary napkin of the presentinvention as it might appear in use.

FIG. 4 is cross sectional view of Section 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of Section 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the benefits of the present invention can be enjoyed in virtuallyall feminine hygiene products designed to be worn in the panties of thewearer, such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, and light incontinenceproducts, the invention will be disclosed with respect to the Figures asa preferred embodiment of a sanitary napkin.

The term “extensible,” as used herein refers to webs or articles that,upon application of a force, can increase in at least one of theirdimensions (e.g., in the MD-CD plane when in a substantially flatcondition) sufficiently to permit three-dimensional deformation of thefacing layer 21 and the first absorbent layer 24 for body fit andcomfort, as discussed below. During use extensibility is preferably dueto the naturally occurring forces imposed by the wearer's body andpanties when the wearer uses the article of the present invention. Theterm extensible includes articles that are stretchable and elasticallystretchable (defined below). Extensible materials or portions ofmaterials, including in zones of extensibility referred to herein,preferably are extensible at least 5% under forces of less than or equalto about 800 grams, preferably less than or equal to about 400 grams,and most preferably less than or equal to about 300 grams.

The term “stretchable”, as used herein, refers to articles that areextensible when stretching forces are applied to the article and offersome resistance to stretching.

As used herein the term “joined” refers to the condition where a firstmember is attached, or connected, to a second member either directly; orindirectly, where the first member is attached, or connected, to anintermediate member which in turn is attached, or connected, to thesecond member.

As used herein the term “decoupled” refers to the independence ofmovement of two components of the sanitary napkin 20 and requiresseparability of such components, at least within the range of movementexperienced by the components during use.

As used herein, the term “nonwoven web” refers to a web having astructure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but notin a regular, repeating manner as in a woven or knitted fabric. Nonwovenwebs or fabrics have been formed from many processes, such as, forexample, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, hydroentanglingprocesses, and bonded carded web processes. The basis weight of nonwovenfabrics is usually expressed in grams per square meter (gsm) and thefiber diameters are usually expressed in microns. Fiber size can also beexpressed in denier. The basis weight of nonwoven webs useful ascomponents of the present invention, such as the facing layer 21 (whichcan be a single layer or a composite of more than one layer), can rangefrom 10 gsm to 200 gsm.

The constituent fibers of nonwoven webs can be polymer fibers, and canbe monocomponent, bicomponent, and/or biconstituent, capillary channelfibers, and can have major cross-sectional dimensions (e.g., diameterfor round fibers) ranging from 5-200 microns. The constituent fibers canrange from about 0.1 denier to about 100 denier.

As used herein, “spunbond fibers” refers to small diameter fibers thatare formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments froma plurality of fine, usually circular capillaries of a spinneret withthe diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced.Spunbond fibers are generally not tacky when they are deposited on acollecting surface. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and haveaverage diameters (from a sample of at least 10) larger than 7 microns,and more particularly, between about 10 and 40 microns.

As used herein, the term “meltblowing” refers to a process in whichfibers are formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through aplurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threadsor filaments into converging high velocity, usually heated, gas (forexample air) streams which attenuate the filaments of moltenthermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which may be tomicrofiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by thehigh velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface,often while still tacky, to form a web of randomly dispersed meltblownfibers. Meltblown fibers are microfibers which may be continuous ordiscontinuous and are generally smaller than 10 microns in averagediameter.

As used herein, the term “polymer” generally includes, but is notlimited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block, graft,random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc., and blends andmodifications thereof. In addition, unless otherwise specificallylimited, the term “polymer” includes all possible geometricconfigurations of the material. The configurations include, but are notlimited to, isotactic, atactic, syndiotactic, and random symmetries.

As used herein, the term “monocomponent” fiber refers to a fiber formedfrom one or more extruders using only one polymer. This is not meant toexclude fibers formed from one polymer to which small amounts ofadditives have been added for coloration, antistatic properties,lubrication, hydrophilicity, etc. These additives, for example titaniumdioxide for coloration, are generally present in an amount less thanabout 5 weight percent and more typically about 2 weight percent.

As used herein, the term “bicomponent fibers” refers to fibers that havebeen formed from at least two different polymers extruded from separateextruders but spun together to form one fiber. Bicomponent fibers arealso sometimes referred to as conjugate fibers or multicomponent fibers.The polymers are arranged in substantially constantly positioneddistinct zones across the cross-section of the bicomponent fibers andextend continuously along the length of the bicomponent fibers. Theconfiguration of such a bicomponent fiber may be, for example, asheath/core arrangement wherein one polymer is surrounded by another, ormay be a side-by-side arrangement, a pie arrangement, or an“islands-in-the-sea” arrangement.

As used herein, the term “biconstituent fibers” refers to fibers thathave been formed from at least two polymers extruded from the sameextruder as a blend. The term “blend” is defined below. Biconstituentfibers do not have the various polymer components arranged in relativelyconstantly positioned distinct zones across the cross-sectional area ofthe fiber and the various polymers are usually not continuous along theentire length of the fiber, instead usually forming fibrils which startand end at random. Biconstituent fibers are sometimes also referred toas multiconstituent fibers.

As used herein, the term “capillary channel fibers” refers to fibershaving capillary channels capable of facilitating fluid movement viacapillarity. Such fibers can be hollow fibers, for example, but arepreferably fibers having capillary channels on their outer surfaces. Thecapillary channels can be of various cross-sectional shapes such as“U-shaped,” “H-shaped,” “C-shaped,” and “V-shaped.”

FIG. 1 shows in partial cut away plan view one embodiment of a sanitarynapkin 20 of the present invention comprising a fluid permeable facinglayer 21, fluid impermeable backsheet 22, and a first absorbent layer 24joined to the facing layer 21. Facing layer 21 and backsheet 22 can bejoined about a periphery 27. Facing layer 21 of sanitary napkin 20 canbe a body-contacting layer commonly known in the art as a topsheet 26.Facing layer 21 can be a composite comprising a topsheet 26 and a secondabsorbent layer, not shown in FIG. 1, also as known in the art. Anoptional second absorbent layer 25 can be disposed between firstabsorbent layer 24 and backsheet 22. Second absorbent layer 25 can bejoined to portions of first absorbent layer 21 and can underlie (e.g.,be in an overlapping relationship) all or a portion of first absorbentlayer 21.

The sanitary napkin 20, as well as each layer or component thereof canbe described as having a “body facing” surface and a “garment facing”surface. As can be readily understood by considering the ultimate usefor sanitary napkins, the body facing surfaces are the surfaces of thelayers or components that are oriented closer to the body when in use,and the garment facing surfaces are the surfaces that are orientedcloser to the undergarment of the user when in use.

Therefore, for example, facing layer 21 has a body facing surface 30(that can actually be a body contacting surface), and a garment facingsurface 31 that is the surface that can be adhered to the underlyingfirst absorbent layer 24. The garment facing surface 32 of the fluidimpermeable backsheet 22 of a sanitary napkin, for example, is orientedclosest to, and may contact, the wearer's panties in use (via adhesiveattachment means, if used).

Sanitary napkin 20 has a longitudinal axis L, a transverse axis T and avertical axis H. Longitudinal axis L and transverse axis T define atwo-dimensional plane of the sanitary napkin prior to use, which, in theembodiment shown is associated with the machine direction (MD) and crossmachine direction (CD) as is commonly known in the art of makingsanitary napkins in high-speed commercial production lines. The sanitarynapkin 20 has a length, which is the longest dimension measured parallelto the longitudinal axis L. The sanitary napkin has a width, which isthe dimension measured in the CD, e.g., parallel to the transverse axis.The width can vary or be substantially constant along the length of thesanitary napkin. In general, the width can be measured between lateraledges 29 parallel to the transverse axis T. Without being bound bytheory, it is believed that the width should be sufficient to beeffective in facilitating portions of the sanitary napkin to be deformed“out-of-plane,” i.e., buckled, or deflected upwardly by the lateral,i.e., inward, compression forces of the wearer's thighs when thesanitary napkin is used. In general, by “out-of-plane” is meantextending in the “Z”-direction, as indicated by FIG. 2, and by “upward”is meant upward with respect to the orientation of FIGS. 2 and 3, whichcorresponds to the upward direction of a standing wearer of a sanitarynapkin 20.

Sanitary napkin 20 can have side extensions 28, commonly referred to as“wings,” designed to wrap the sides of the crotch region of the pantiesof the user of sanitary napkin 20. Sanitary napkin 20 and/or wings 28can have fastening means including attachment components, such aspressure sensitive adhesive, or mechanical fasteners such as hook andloop fasteners. The sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIG. 1 has strips ofpositioning adhesive 36 on the garment facing surface 32 of backsheet22. The positioning adhesive can be hot-melt adhesive material capableof establishing a temporary bond with the undergarment material. Asuitable material is the composition designated HL-1491 XZP commerciallyavailable from H. B. Fuller, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The fasteningmeans can include attachment components such as positioning adhesive 36disposed on the extensions 28, as shown in FIG. 1. The positioningadhesive, or other attachment components can be applied to thegarment-facing surface of the backsheet in various patterns, includingcomplete adhesive coverage, parallel longitudinal strips or lines, aline of adhesive following the perimeter of the structure, transverselines of adhesive, or the like.

In general, the presence of fastening means defines an attachment zonethat is coextensive with the fastening means. The attachment zone is theportion of the sanitary napkin, typically the backsheet thereof, that isfixed with respect to the wearer's panties. Thus, the attachment zone(s)must move in a one-to-one correspondence with the panty when the wearermoves. As discussed more fully below, one benefit of the presentinvention is a decoupling of the body-contacting portions of thesanitary napkin from the attachment zones. This decoupling improves bodyfit and comfort to the wearer of the sanitary napkin.

The sanitary napkin 20 can be made by hand or on commercial high-speedproduction lines as is known in the art.

To conform to the wearer's body, both statically and dynamically, thesanitary napkin must bend multi-axially, and the bending required isdifferent at different locations along the longitudinal axis thereof.Moreover, to provide for increased body fit and comfort over longerperiods of time, the sanitary napkin must be capable of adapting to thewidely varying pudendal anatomies of different women, as well as thedynamically changing shape with their body movements during use. Bodyfit and comfort, both statically and dynamically, are provide for by thestructure of the sanitary napkin of the present invention.

The sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention achieves improved staticand dynamic body fit by providing zones of extensibility in the firstabsorbent layer wherein the zones of extensibility are decoupled fromthe attachment zones. As shown in FIG. 1, first absorbent layer 24 hasat least one, and preferably a plurality of zones of extensibility 33.Zones of extensibility 33 are regions or portions of first absorbentlayer that have been rendered relatively more easily extensible thanadjacent, non-rendered regions so as to permit multi-axis bending of theabsorbent layer 24. That is, for a given force applied to the sanitarynapkin, such as by the wearer's body, portions of the sanitary napkin,e.g., the first absorbent layer 24, rendered more easily extensible willextend more than the adjacent, non-rendered, portions of the sanitarynapkin. Because the zones of extensibility are decoupled from theattachment zones, the zones of extensibility can move independentlywithin the range of motion experienced by the sanitary napkin duringuse.

It is recognized that the forces applied to the sanitary napkin 20 ofthe present invention can be relatively low, such as the forces appliedby the wearer's labia while walking. Therefore, while it is recognizedthat all materials typically used in a sanitary napkin have someextensibility, the portions rendered extensible in the zones ofextensibility 33 readily extend under the relatively low forces exertedby portions of the wearer's body for dynamic body fit and comfort.Another way of describing this property, therefore, is that the zones ofextensibility 33 have a relatively lower elastic modulus, i.e., Young'smodulus, than the adjacent non-rendered portions.

Extensibility can be rendered in the zones of extensibility 33 by meansknown in the art, such as by the method commonly referred to as “ringrolling” in which the portion to be rendered extensible is processedthrough the nip of counter-rotating, grooved rollers to locallyincrementally stretch the rendered portion. Such methods are disclosed,for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,916,661 and 5,628,097. Likewise,extensibility can be rendered by similar means in which one of thecounter-rotating rollers comprises teeth to form regions ofextensibility comprising a plurality of spaced-apart rib-like elements,as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,801.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, extensibility isrendered at predetermined zones of extensibility 33 by a plurality ofopenings defining slits 34 that permit extension of first absorbentlayer 24 in at least one dimension, i.e., along the MD and/or the CDdirection, or a combination thereof, when in a flattened, pre-usecondition. Slits 34 are preferably arranged in a repeating “brick”pattern, in which a plurality of slits are arranged in rows, the slitsbeing offset from row to row. Additionally, slits 34 are preferablyoriented obliquely to, and arranged symmetrically about, longitudinalaxis L. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that by orientinggenerally linear patterns of slits 34 obliquely to the longitudinal axisL, such as in the V-shaped pattern symmetric about the longitudinal axisL shown in FIG. 1, that first absorbent layer 24 is better adapted formulti-axis bending when used in a sanitary napkin.

Such slits can permit multi-axis bending, such as simultaneous bendingabout the longitudinal axis L to form an inverted V-shape that canitself be bent about an axis parallel to transverse axis T as shown inFIG. 3, and/or about an axis parallel to vertical axis Z. Suchmulti-axis bending provides for better body fit and comfort, since firstabsorbent layer 24 (and facing layer 21 joined thereto) can form to thewearers body in three-dimensions about multiple axes, and move with thewearers body during movements such as walking or sitting. FIG. 3 shows asimplified representation of a sanitary napkin 20 of the presentinvention as it might look when worn in the panties of a wearer. Thebacksheet 32 is fastened in a temporarily fixed relationship to thepanties (not shown). Extensions 28 are wrapped about the elasticatedside edges of the crotch portion of the panties. In use the sanitarynapkin 20 fits the curvature of the wearer's body by bending both aboutaxes parallel to the longitudinal axis L, and about axes parallel totransverse axis T, such as representative parallel axis Ta shown in FIG.3. Such bending, imposed by the forces of the wearer's body and panties,can cause typical sanitary napkins to become bunched, crumpled, or, asis known in the art, to “rope” which is to become twisted and bunched.However, as shown in FIG. 3, a sanitary napkin 20 of the presentinvention can bend and articulate about multiple axes due to thepresence of zones of extensibility 33, which are decoupled from thezones of attachment, and are, therefore, decoupled from being forced tomove with the wearer's undergarments within the range of movementexperienced during wear.

As shown in FIG. 3, and in the simplified schematic representations ofFIGS. 4 and 5, a sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention, when worn,is adapted to form a flattened or concave portion for positioningexterior of the clitoris and pubic mons and a rearward portion adaptedto yield a raised peak 40 (also referred to herein as a hump or ridge)having a length and forming at least a portion of the pad into aninverted V shape for positioning in alignment with the creases of theperineum and buttocks. The raised hump or ridge 40 can form as a resultof the lateral forces imposed by the wearer's thighs. Such aconfiguration can be described in cross-section as an inverted V-shape,or as a “W” shape as shown in FIG. 4. The improved body fit and comfortof the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention is realized, however,by the ability of the hump or ridge 40 to articulate in a generallysmooth, un-crumpled manner about axes parallel to either or both of thetransverse axis T, or axis H. Of course, the folds and bends of sanitarynapkin 20 can articulate about other axes, but, for simplicity ofdescription, the articulation is described herein as being about themajor axes of a three-dimensional orthogonal space.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a generally “inverted V-” or “W-shaped”cross-section of the facing layer 21 and first absorbent material 24 ismaintained in portions of the sanitary napkin where the first absorbentlayer is decoupled from at least the attachment zones defined byfastening adhesive 36. The facing layer 21 and first absorbent material24 are joined at least at the portions of first absorbent material 24intermediate extensible zones 33. Such joining permits the facing layer21 and first absorbent material 24 to conform as a composite, so tospeak, or as a unit, to the body. Moreover, because the invertedV-shaped ridge 40 can articulate in three dimensions, i.e.,multi-axially, the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention providesfor increased dynamic body fit and comfort. For example, when worn, theinverted V-shaped ridge 40 can dispose portions of the facing layer 21and first absorbent material 24 in the labial region to reside betweenthe labia. During walking motions when slight side to side movement ofthe labia could cause discomfort, the articulation of the ridge 40 aboutaxes parallel to the H axis permit the body-contacting portions of thesanitary napkin to move with the body, improving comfort, particularlyover relatively long periods of time or during periods of increasedactivity.

The sanitary napkin, therefore, can be described as an absorbent articlefor absorption of human exudate comprising a liquid impermeablebacksheet, an extensible fluid permeable facing layer and an absorbentlayer therebetween, and comprising a front portion adapted to form aflattened or concave portion for positioning exterior of the clitorisand pubic mons and a rearward portion adapted to yield a raised peakhaving a length and forming the pad into an inverted V shape forpositioning in alignment with the creases of the perineum and buttocks,and wherein the liquid impermeable backsheet, the extensible fluidpermeable facing layer and the absorbent layer are adapted to permit theraised peak to multi-axially articulate.

The specific extensibility and modulus can be adjusted by adjusting thesize and spacing of zones of extensibility 33, and the optimum designbased on the size and configuration of sanitary napkin 20 can readily bedetermined by those skilled in the art. For typical materials used insanitary napkins, zones of extensibility covering a total of from about10% to about 50% of first absorbent layer 24 can be used and the zonesof extensibility can be sized and spaced so as to have generallyequally-sized non-extensible zones adjacent zones of extensibility. Inone embodiment, in a sanitary napkin similar to that shown in FIG. 1,and measuring about 25 cm long, first absorbent layer 24 has four zonesof extensibility 33, two on each side of transverse axis T. Each zone ofextensibility comprises linear patterns of slits 34 in a symmetricV-shaped pattern as shown in FIG. 1, with each slit being about 1 cmlong. Each zone of extensibility measures about 2 cm in the longitudinaldirection, and is separated by a distance of about 2 cm from adjacentzones of extensibility 33.

Because zones of extensibility 33 can be formed by methods such asslitting that can be performed relatively easily at the high speedsnecessary for commercial production, sanitary napkins 20 of the presentinvention provide improved body fit that can be simply and economicallymanufactured. By providing such an easily manufactured structure, thefirst absorbent layer 24 can be made flat, and yet be adaptable toconform to the body of the wearer by folding. Further, the folds orridges formed by folding can also articulate about any of axes L, T, orH during wearing and movement by the user, so that an improved fittingsanitary napkin is achieved. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention canbe described as a sanitary napkin having a generally flattened pre-useconfiguration that can be described as being in a plane defined by the Land T axes, in which, upon use, portions of the sanitary napkindynamically conform to the wearer's body. By dynamically conform ismeant that, upon being worn next to the body in a panty of the wearer,the sanitary napkin is adapted to form a longitudinally-aligned fold,e.g., an inverted V shaped fold 40 about longitudinal axis L, and,unlike prior art sanitary napkins, the longitudinally-aligned fold canitself articulate about axes parallel to either the transverse axis T oraxis H.

Facing layer 21 can comprise nonwoven materials or apertured polymerfilms as are known in the art for topsheets on disposable absorbentarticles, and the facing layer can be extensible or have at leastportions being extensible. For example, facing layer 21 can comprise anapertured polymer film sold under the trade name DRI-WEAVE® by TheProcter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, or an apertured formed film asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,643, obtained from Tredegar FilmProducts, Terre Haute, Ind. under the designation X27121. If additionalextensibility of facing layer 21 is desired, facing layer 21 or portionsthereof can be rendered extensible. Portions to be zones of enhancedextensibility can be rendered extensible by the same methods describedabove with respect to rendering zones of extensibility in firstabsorbent layer 24. In general, since facing layer 21 and firstabsorbent layer 24 are bonded sufficiently to be, in effect, a laminatematerial, in a preferred embodiment facing layer 21 is sufficientlyextensible, or rendered sufficiently extensible in zones of enhancedextensibility 43, as shown in FIG. 6. Zones of enhanced extensibility 43can comprise, for example, embossments or debossments, such as raisedribs 44, aligned and spaced to complement the range of extensibility ofthe zones of extensibility 33 of first absorbent layer 24. In oneembodiment, facing layer 21 and first absorbent layer 24 are joined,such as by adhesive or thermal bonding, such that the zones of enhancedextensibility 43 of facing layer 21 are in registry with, and,preferably, unbonded, i.e., not joined, to the zones of extensibility 33of first absorbent layer 24.

First absorbent layer 24 (and second absorbent layer 25, if used), andbacksheet 22 can comprise absorbent materials, and liquid impermeablefilm materials, respectively, as is well known in the art. Extensions28, e.g., wings, if used, can be integral extensions of the facing layeror the backsheet or both, and they can be symmetric about thelongitudinal axis L, transverse axis T, or both.

Nonwoven webs used in the present invention can be any known nonwovenwebs or composites of two or more nonwoven webs. Nonwoven webs used inthe present invention can comprise fibers that can be monocomponent,bicomponent, biconstituent, capillary channel fibers or combinationsthereof. For use as the facing layer 21, nonwoven webs used in thepresent invention should be extensible.

Sanitary napkins of the present invention provide for improved body fit,as well as improved comfort, while absorbing all or most of any fluiddischarges experienced by the wearer. These advantageous properties area result of the shape the sanitary napkin takes on during use. Althoughprovided in a generally flat configuration, upon use portions of asanitary napkin of the present invention deform upwardly, i.e., towardthe wearer's body, such that the body-facing surface of the napkin is inclose proximity, or even in contact with, the wearer's body at the pointof fluid discharge, thereby enhancing both the comfort of the wearer andthe performance of the sanitary napkin. Moreover, an importantimprovement provided by the sanitary napkin 20 of the present inventionis that the upwardly-deformed portion, e.g., ridge 40 can articulateabout multiple axes under relatively low forces exerted by the wearer'sbody in the pudendal region, thereby permitting the sanitary napkin todynamically conforming during use.

Joining of the facing layer 21 and the first absorbent layer 24 can beby any means known in the art, such as by adhesive bonding, thermalbonding, ultrasonic bonding, and the like. While complete bonding atinterface is not necessary, or even desirable, it is believed that thebonding should be sufficient to facilitate the components act, as aunit, e.g., bending out-of-plane together. The facing layer 21 and firstabsorbent layer 24 can be joined, at least in portions intermediatezones of extensibility 33 by Findley HX1500-1 meltblown adhesive appliedat a loading of approximately 6.4 gsm. Alternatively, the facing layer21 and first absorbent layer 24 can be joined in selected regions bythermal bonding, for example, by thermal spot bonding.

First and/or second absorbent layer can be Foley Fluff pulp availablefrom Buckeye Technologies Inc., Memphis, Tenn. that is disintegrated andformed into a core having a density of about 0.07 grams per cubiccentimeter (g/cm³) and a caliper of about 10 mm.

The extensibility and/or elastic modulus of portions of the componentsof sanitary napkin 20, including zones of extensibility 33 and zones ofenhanced extensibility 43 is/are a property of materials that can bedetermined by any of many well-known means known in the art. In general,persons skilled in the art will recognize that any tensile test as areknown and used in conjunction with testing equipment made by Instron,MTS, Thwing-Albert, and the like, can be used to measure stress/strainand to report extension and/or elastic modulus. It is implied hereinthat any of such tensile forces are measured at relatively low strainsfrom about 0.1% to about 10%, and at appropriate rates of strainrepresentative of in use conditions. By way of example, an appropriaterate of strain is defined as anything from 100% strain in about 2seconds to 100% strain in about 3 minutes. For a given strain of betweenabout 0.1% to about 10%, the ratio of the elastic modulus of the zonesof extensibility 33 to the elastic modulus of the regions between (orintermediate to, or adjacent to; each term being synonymous in thiscontext) the zones of extensibility 33 of first absorbent layer 24 canbe from about 1 to 1.5 to about 1 to 1000, and is preferably from about1 to 100 to about 1 to 300.

Joining of the facing layer 21 and the first absorbent layer 24 can beby any means known in the art, such as by adhesive bonding, thermalbonding, ultrasonic bonding, and the like. While complete bonding atinterface is not necessary, it is believed that the bonding should besufficient to facilitate the components act, as a unit, e.g., bendingout-of-plane together upon sufficient lateral force, as described morefully below. In a preferred embodiment, the facing layer 21 is adheredto the body-facing side of the first absorbent layer 24 at substantiallythe entire surface interface between the two components, e.g., by theuse of meltblown thermoplastic adhesive. Adhesion can be by applicationof a substantially uniform layer of adhesive applied by means known inthe art, such as by spraying or slot coating. The adhesive, if uniformlycoated should not block fluid flow into the first absorbent layer.Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the adhesive is a fluid permeableadhesive, such as the aforementioned Findley HX1500-1 adhesive.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended tocover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that arewithin the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal axis,a transverse axis, and a periphery, the absorbent article comprising: a.a fluid permeable facing layer, at least portions of which areextensible; b. a first absorbent layer comprising a zone ofextensibility, the zone of extensibility being a region of the firstabsorbent layer of relatively higher extensibility than regions of thefirst absorbent layer adjacent to the zone of extensibility and allowingthe first absorbent layer to be extensible in a direction parallel tothe longitudinal axis and in a direction parallel to the transverseaxis; c. a liquid impermeable backsheet joined to the facing layer atthe periphery, the liquid impermeable backsheet having a garment facingsurface; d. fastening means disposed on at least a portion of thegarment facing surface of the liquid impermeable backsheet, thefastening means defining attachment zones; and e. wherein the firstabsorbent layer is decoupled from the fluid impermeable backsheet. 2.The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the zone of extensibilitycomprise openings defining slits.
 3. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the zone of extensibility comprises incrementally-stretchedrib-like elements.
 4. The absorbent article of claim 1, furthercomprising a second absorbent layer, the second absorbent layer beingjoined to the liquid impermeable backsheet, and wherein the at least aportion of the first absorbent layer is decoupled from both the secondabsorbent layer and the fluid impermeable backsheet.
 5. The absorbentarticle of claim 1, wherein the first absorbent layer is substantiallycontinuously joined to the facing layer.
 6. The absorbent article ofclaim 1, wherein the zone of extensibility of the first absorbent layerare in registry with the extensible portions of the facing layer.
 7. Theabsorbent article of claim 6, wherein the facing layer is joined to thefirst absorbent layer adjacent the zone of extensibility.
 8. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the zone of extensibility definesa generally linear pattern of openings defining slits, the generallylinear pattern being oriented obliquely to the longitudinal axis.
 9. Theabsorbent article of claim 8, wherein the zone of extensibility definesa V-shaped pattern symmetric about the longitudinal axis.
 10. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the facing layer comprises atopsheet and a secondary topsheet.
 11. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the facing layer comprises an apertured, formed film.
 12. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the facing layer comprises anonwoven web.
 13. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein theabsorbent article is a catamenial device.
 14. An absorbent articlehaving a longitudinal axis, transverse axis, and a periphery, theabsorbent article further comprising, a. an extensible fluid permeablefacing layer; b. a first absorbent layer being extensible at least inpart allowing the absorbent article to bend about multiple axes and suchthat in use, the absorbent article forms a ridge substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis, the ridge being able to articulate in anun-crumpled manner; c. a liquid impermeable backsheet joined to thefacing layer at the periphery, the liquid impermeable backsheet having agarment facing surface; d. fastening means disposed on at least aportion of the garment facing surface of the liquid impermeablebacksheet, the fastening means defining attachment zones; and e. whereinthe first absorbent layer is decoupled from the fluid impermeablebacksheet.
 15. The absorbent article of claim 14, wherein the firstabsorbent layer comprises openings defining slits.
 16. The absorbentarticle of claim 14, wherein the first absorbent layer comprisesincrementally-stretched rib-like elements.
 17. An absorbent article forabsorption of human exudate comprising: an extensible liquid impermeablebacksheet, an extensible fluid permeable facing layer, and an absorbentlayer therebetween; a front portion adapted to form a flattened orconcave portion for positioning exterior of the clitoris and pubic mons;and a rearward portion adapted to yield a raised peak having a lengthand forming the pad into an inverted V shape for positioning inalignment with the creases of the perineum and buttocks; wherein thebacksheet, the facing layer, and the absorbent layer are adapted topermit the raised peak to multi-axially articulate.